Similar looking to a modern day elephant, the woolly mammoth was a large mammal with four legs, a long trunk as a nose and mouth, and two large ivory tusks.
The woolly mammoth was a huge animal that ranged in height anywhere from 1.8-4 m (5.9- 13.1 ft) depending on its variety.
It had a weight of 5443-9072 kg (12,000-20,000 lbs)
Though it was roughly the shape and size of an elephant, the woolly mammoth had a fur, unlike the modern-day elephant. It's coat was similar to a muskoxen, consisting of long shaggy hairs (up to 90 cm in length).
Under the fur, the woolly mammoth had a dark-gray skin and insulating fat.
The woolly mammoth's fur ranged in color. These colors include tan, a variety of browns, and black.
A model of what the woolly mammoth would have looked like alive.
Time Period and Habitat:
The woolly mammoth lived in the Pleistocene period (2.6 million-11,700 years ago)which is the first of the Quaternary periods.
During this age, a vast amount of global cooling (ice ages) took place, turing earth's landscape into vast glaciers and covered in snow. However, during warmer periods the glaciers did retreat somewhat, and lush vegetation appeared.
Preservation:
Since the species went extinct recently (the last population of woolly mammoths lived until 1700 B.C.), there are many well preserved fossils found in northern continents.
The fossils are typically found frozen, in rivers, mudbanks, and other frozen liquids. This has enabled scientists to discover fully-entact mammoths.
Ties to Alaska:
The woolly mammoth was designated Alaska's state fossil in 1986 due to the fact several remains of woolly mammoths have been found there.
- Alaska State Fossil:
- Mammuthus primigenius (woolly mammoth/ tundra mammoth)
- Description:
- Similar looking to a modern day elephant, the woolly mammoth was a large mammal with four legs, a long trunk as a nose and mouth, and two large ivory tusks.
- The woolly mammoth was a huge animal that ranged in height anywhere from 1.8-4 m (5.9- 13.1 ft) depending on its variety.
- It had a weight of 5443-9072 kg (12,000-20,000 lbs)
- Though it was roughly the shape and size of an elephant, the woolly mammoth had a fur, unlike the modern-day elephant. It's coat was similar to a muskoxen, consisting of long shaggy hairs (up to 90 cm in length).
- Under the fur, the woolly mammoth had a dark-gray skin and insulating fat.
- The woolly mammoth's fur ranged in color. These colors include tan, a variety of browns, and black.
A model of what the woolly mammoth would have looked like alive.